INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and#8212; The rough economy has not interrupted work to construct a hiking trail connecting the Lake Tahoe Basin to the Washoe Valley, meaning the long-sought and#8220;Reno to Rim Trailand#8221; could be ready by the end of summer 2010.

and#8220;There has been no impact and#8212; we’re still right on track for this project,and#8221; said Mark Kimbrough, executive director of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. and#8220;If everything works out, we should get going next summer.and#8221;

The plan calls for a 15-mile hiking trail that would connect at the Tahoe Rim Trail, near the base of the Mount Rose summit, run north through the Carson Range and end at Hunter Creek, just south of Reno.

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Ground workers will continue to survey the proposed area and#8212; governed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service and#8212; through the summer to ensure the trail doesn’t violate forest service laws or impact wildlife or vegetation areas along the way.

and#8220;We’re still waiting for some snow to melt to get out there and do surveys of plants and wildlife up there,and#8221; Kimbrough said.

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Once assessments are complete, data will be compiled into a document, published jointly by TRTA and the forest service, to include plan alternatives.

Kimbrough said the document should be prepared by August. A public comment period of about 45 will follow to give residents a chance to voice opinions on the proposal and alternatives.

From there, the plan will be finalized, and work would begin next summer, Kimbrough said.

and#8220;With the document coming out in August, it would be a little late for us to start work this year, since the final proposal wouldn’t be ready until October or November,and#8221; Kimbrough said.

Phone calls to officials with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District went unreturned as of this writing.